Allen Edmonds seconds are almost a rite of passage into the menswear world – it’s just about the least expensive way to get in to a nice pair of welted shoes. Finding shell cordovan shoes on the cheap is not as common, however. […]

I just returned from a brief work trip to Chicago and while there I had the great fortune of touring the famed Horween tannery. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been working with Phil Kalas through Massdrop for a while now, and Phil also heads up operations at Horween. He was kind enough to give me a tour of the place, and I must say that I learned quite a bit. […]

Shell cordovan – the ever-popular material made from a horse’s rear – is exceptional stuff. It’s hard-wearing, has a wonderfully rich color, is naturally water-resistant and crease-resistant, and just looks damn good. It’s no wonder that the stuff is so popular among the shoe aficionados of the world. There are two major problems with shell, […]

I was recently chatting with my friend Phil Kalas, who owns Ashland Leather and runs operations over at Horween. Because of his special relationship with the Horween tannery (he’s worked there for about a decade), Phil has a vast knowledge of leather and always seems to have access to some unique and rare hides. We were […]

Like many people that read this blog, one of my favorite pastimes is researching an item of clothing in search of the “perfect one” – the piece that will be the ultimate addition to my wardrobe. I do this in part because I try to keep my wardrobe relatively simple and utilitarian, but also because […]

About the Author

Ian Anderson is a menswear buyer and style blogger based in San Francisco. He started From Squalor to Baller in 2012 as a resource for men trying to understand and excel in the confusing world of business casual attire.